Meet the Team

Earlise

Earlise is a BEng (Hons) Engineering student at The Open University and a Community Convenor with the Black STEM Hub. Her academic interests focus on applied engineering problem-solving and designing technical systems that operate safely, efficiently, and inclusively in the real world.

Alongside her studies, Earlise has extensive experience in tutoring and STEM outreach, offering free math and science support during exam periods to underrepresented and Black students. This work has shaped her practical, student-centred approach, creating welcoming environments where people feel confident in asking questions and sharing their experiences.

At the Black STEM Hub, Earlise helps plan and deliver student-led events that promote connection, visibility, and a sense of belonging. She is passionate about making academic pathways and progression in STEM clearer, more accessible, and achievable for current students.

Zachary

Zachary is a current student intern and convenor at the OU Black STEM Hub, alongside studying Natural Sciences (Chemistry) at The Open University, with a particular interest in metals. During the lockdown, he developed a strong interest in content creation, which later expanded into computational art and digital media.

He has experience managing and editing content for multiple YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram accounts, and brings these creative and technical skills to the Hub to support improved engagement and communication. Zachary is especially interested in how digital tools can be used to inspire students, challenge limiting beliefs, and encourage Black students to set and work towards more ambitious goals.

Through his role, he aims to help strengthen student feedback, increase participation at events, and contribute to improving representation of Black individuals in senior and decision-making roles within STEM, including academia. Zachary is committed to helping build an inclusive, supportive, and forward-looking community within the Black STEM Hub.

Terry

Terry has been an Associate Lecturer at the OU for around four years. He lectures on one module, SXE390, which is a final-year project module. His background/subject specialism is environmental science, and more specifically related to sustainable resource management. Terry has worked across both the public and private sectors, in addition to being in academia.

At the OU, Terry has been involved with various projects that have aimed to facilitate social justice, and equity, including strategies to mitigate bias in the STEM curricula, as well as to reduce the awarding and progression gaps. Therefore, the OU's Black Students' Hub is very much an extension of this work. The model employed also offered the opportunity to co-design the Hub's vision, structure, and activities with the interns on the project. Certainly, one of the satisfying factors has been not only the opportunities that the Hub has been able to develop, and the student communities being forged, but also the development in the confidence and skills of the student interns.

Tema

Tema is an Associate Lecturer on Module U101 (Design and Innovation).

She has worked at the OU for over ten years, as an AL and in various consultative roles.

An advocate of accessible education, her interests include communities of practice and inclusive teaching practice, which she has researched and presented on with and beyond the OU. Find out more about Tema's research project The Benefits of Developing a Community of Practice for OU Associate Lecturers .

With The Black Stem Hub, she participates as a mentor to develop interns' confidence and skills, they can in turn impart on the Student community and HUB participants.

Nicole

Nicole is the Deputy Director for EDI in STEM. Having joined the university as a Lecturer in 2008, she chaired the School's Athena Swan Self-Assessment Team and became EDIA Lead for the School of Engineering and Innovation in 2020. Nicole is a passionate advocate for students from marginalised groups. She is committed to ensuring they have a voice, space, and the confidence to co-create the Open University’s curriculum and culture, fostering a more inclusive learning environment for all. Nicole sponsors the Black STEM Hub, mentors, and supervises the Virtual Student Interns who co-create and chair the events.

Djibril- founder and former intern

Djibril is a Computing with Electronic Engineering student at The Open University, and is passionate about improving representation and equity in STEM. With a lot of experience in technician roles and the opportunity this internship as a student has given him, he is developing skills in coordinating student-led projects. Djibril brings both practical skills and lived experience to the Black STEM Hub. He joined the BSH to help build a more inclusive and supportive space where Black students can connect, thrive, and feel confident about their future in STEM. He is committed to creating opportunities for collaboration, and visibility across the university.

Nia- founder and former intern

Nia is a student intern at the Open University and co-creator of the OU Black STEM Hub. Having a strong interest in the nature of reality, she completed her Natural Sciences Physics Bsc at the University between 2019-2024. During this time, she had the opportunity to engage in exciting projects, such as imaging for the Teide Observatory.

Nia’s involvement in the Black STEM Hub stemmed from a desire to see more spaces led by Black individuals in the STEM field.